PCI SEEKS CHANGES TO NEV.’S AB 315:

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America is seeking amendments to Nevada legislation that would affect the availability of mechanical data recorded by newer model cars just prior to accidents. “We believe this data should be made available to insurance companies to improve claims handling and help prevent fraud,” said Kate Diehl, legislative advocate for PCI. The legislation is AB 315, which will be considered by Nevada’s Assembly Transportation Committee. “PCI and its members recognize that consumers are concerned about the privacy of their financial and health information, and accordingly, property/casualty insurers strictly adhere to all relevant federal and state privacy laws. Nevertheless, to assure that crash claims are administered efficiently and fairly, property/casualty insurers should not be precluded from having access to data from the Event Data Recorders–commonly called ‘black boxes,'” Diehl said. EDRs can benefit everyone from drivers to traffic and safety-control officials, law enforcement agencies, vehicle manufacturers, repair shops and insurers. EDR data can help quickly verify or disprove claimant or witness accounts and help determine whether alleged injuries are consistent with the nature of the collision.